Mercedes-Benz axing manual transmissions from 2023 – report

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to say goodbye to guide transmission.

According to a report from German publication Automobilwoche, Mercedes-Benz will stage out production of autos with handbook transmission from 2023.

“With expanding electrification, we see that purchaser demand from customers is shifting in direction of electric mobility factors, batteries and (partly) electric powered generate methods,” mentioned a Mercedes-Benz spokesperson to Automobilwoche (translated).

“Gradually [Mercedes-Benz will] no for a longer time present guide transmissions.”

We realized this was coming as back again in 2020 Autocar claimed that now-Mercedes-Benz chief engineering officer (CTO) said the German automaker is removing guide transmissions from its lineup.

No timeline was specified at the time for when manual transmissions would be dropped.

Although this may well feel like a surprise, Mercedes-Benz has been largely automatic-only for a when now.

The only Mercedes-Benz automobile that’s at this time obtainable domestically with a guide transmission is the Vito industrial van.

The 4 manual-geared up Vito variants use a smaller 1.6-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine rather than the 2.-litre turbo-diesel 4-cylinder engine, which is mated with a 9-pace automated transmission.

The more substantial Sprinter commercial van missing its guide transmission in 2021 and the X-Class ute was discontinued in 2020.

The previous Mercedes-Benz passenger car that was supplied with a manual transmission regionally was the entry-stage SLC180 convertible in 2018.

There are still a number of A-Class, B-Class and CLA styles that are accessible with a guide transmissions in other markets, having said that.

We have arrived at out to Mercedes-Benz Vans Australia to ensure when the handbook Vito products will be discontinued, and will update this story once we hear back.

It’s fitting that Mercedes-Benz is axing manuals as it has formerly pledged to go all-electric by 2030 wherever current market ailments make it possible for.

In accordance to the luxury motor vehicle maker, all of its new platforms from 2025 onwards will be electric-only.

These comprise MB.EA for all medium to large motor vehicles, AMG.EA for effectiveness autos, and VAN.EA for business autos.

Before that 2025 cutoff, Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new platform referred to as MMA for more compact automobiles, which may possibly even now provide the selection of combustion engines.

Far more: Mercedes-Benz to be EV only by 2030 ‘where industry conditions allow’